INSPIRATION: Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “Vincent’s Chair.” As soon as I heard what our theme was this time, I knew I wanted to try a fabric version of one of his works he’d painted in the SOUTH of France.
I fell in love with Van Gogh’s paintings as a young teen. At 13, I read Irving Stone’s book about him, LUST FOR LIFE. The book enthralled me, and getting to see his paintings “in real life” at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. was profoundly moving to me. Through the years, I have sought out his works every time I visit an art museum.
In 2009 we took a riverboat cruise on the Rhone River. My favorite day was spent in Arles. It was here that Van Gogh lived for the last years of his life and where his signature style came into full bloom. It was here, sadly, that Van Gogh took his own life.
Our tour guide in Arles showed us many places in Arles where Van Gogh had painted. While there, she would show us a print of the painting he had done of that site. Seeing those locations, along with the replicas, made our visit in Arles all the more wonderful.
“Vincent’s Chair” is a rectangular painting and didn’t lend itself easily to our square format. I had to widen the design, which of course altered the proportions of his original composition—(and didn’t improve it!) I made the box of sprouting onions a little bigger; now I wish I had enlarged his chair as well and moved it a bit closer to the box. Oh well! Live and learn. The fabric colors don’t precisely replicate his paint colors, but they are in the same color family
METHODS: machine piecing and quilting; fused raw-edge appliqué and narrow zig-zagging; machine couching; highlighting and shading the chair and box after machine quilting
MATERIALS: batiks and a few commercial quilting cottons from my stash, WonderUnder fusible. The “grout” in the tile floor was stitched first with Perle thread #8 in several lines of straight stitches with final couching. The tobacco pouch is suede; the pipe is “faux leather” (both glued down after quilting.) Pentel’s Fabric Fun Pastel Dye Sticks for the door hinge and for highlights and shadows on the chair, floor, and box. Colored-pencil for Vincent’s name. Marcia Stein’s method of binding with matching fabric.
Alice, this is fabulous. You are so talented in ideas, color and techniques. It is generous for you to share all your materials and methods, quite a treasure chest. Now I know why you so quickly downloaded that big new Van Gogh: A Life to your Kindle! Love this and now I know why you were working so hard...it shows!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece and great story to go with it.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt & the connections you made using the theme as a jumping off point to create a piece that has great meaning to you. I also thought of using the South of France as a jumping off point, but did not connect the dots to Van Gogh ( also a fav of mine ) as you did.
ReplyDeleteAlice this is stunning!!! I think the way you incorporated the binding into the picture is the perfect finishing touch!!
ReplyDeleteAlice, you are amazing. Your brain works in wonderful and mysterious ways. A beautiful rendition of a great painting.
ReplyDeleteAlice, this is stunning! Your personal connection to the subject is obvious in your attention to details. The fabric choices are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI too read Lust For Life as a youth but it wasn't until recently that I discovered that the song titled "Starry Starry Night" is about Vincent Van Gogh. Josh Groban sings it beautifully here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI8fsi_aJ3c
If I hadn't felt that I was going on and on at too great length, Jude, I would have added another anecdote: in the 1970s, hubby & I went to Las Vegas for the first time. While there, we saw a show with a beautiful singer--perhaps her name will come to me--and she sang that song and projected behind her were images of Van Gogh's "Starry Nights." Tears poured down my cheeks! Now to go listen to Josh Groban's version!
DeleteI forgot to mention, I appreciated your posting format. Very informative. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have a print of Van Gogh's chair hanging in our bedroom now. I've always wondered what it is about this simple chair that continues to catch the eye. Your trip to Arles was priceless. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love this Alice - you are really getting to be a master at realistic imagery. I would love to learn your binding technique.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice - Reading your story and explanation is almost like sitting in the same room with you with my eyes closed, and listening to you explain everything. Your work takes me to places I've never been. I find your work calming, inspirational and exceptionally well done. And, at the risk of saying it again, Thank you for being such a great "Den Mother" to all of us Mavens ! Love to you, Kathy
ReplyDeleteAlice, you are astounding! This had to be great fun playing with all the different techniques. Love the info and that you got to take that dream tour. There is something about being able to step into an area where someone we admire stood and created their artwork. Just the other day I watched a "Charlie Rose" show where he had the authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith on. It was fascinating. Maybe you can find the interview online.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, I'm a little late at posting comments due to circumstances beyond my control. At any rate, I want you to know that I think this is my favorite of all 3 MM quilts you have made so far. The subject material, the colors, the variety of techniques, and the execution couldn't be better. I loved the story, and I adore the quilt!
ReplyDeleteThanks much, Carolyn! I was pleased with it, and certainly, it was the quilt that was most emotionally meaningful to me, as I suspect yours was to you!
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